Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He spake before of the rain which should make the earth fruitful, but because he observed no order in beginning with earthly and temporal benefits, therefore he now ads to that doctrine which concerned the spiritual life, those things which appertain to the use of our natural and corruptible life. For albeit godliness hath the promise both of this life and of that which is to come,¹ yet in the first place it first aspires to the kingdom of God.

He spake before of the raine which should make the earth fruitfull, but because he obserued no order in beginning with earthlie and temporall benefits, therefore he now ads to that doctrine which concerned the spirituall life, those things which appertaine to the vse of our naturall and corruptible life. For albeit godlines hath the promise both of this life and of that which is to come,¹ yet in the first place it first aspires to the kingdome of God.

1. 11. Tim. 4.8. Mat. 6.33.

¹Hence let us learn, that men do but lose their labour in tilling the earth, unless the Lord send his rain from heaven. It is he that must water the labours of our hands, and add increase thereto, or otherwise we shall but tire and vex our selves in vain. From his blessing only must our rain come, and to it must we ascribe the abundance of the fruits of the earth which from time to time we receive.

¹Hence let vs learne, that men do but lose their labour in tilling the earth, vnlesse the Lord send his raine from heauen. It is he that must water the labours of our hands, and adde increase thereto, or otherwise we shall but tire and vexe our selues in vaine. From his blessing only must our raine come, and to it must wee ascribe the abundance of the fruites of the earth which from time to time we receiue.